Safety cap

Abstract

A safety cap for a dispenser shaped to prevent choking thereof, particularly in small children. Specifically, the cap includes a lid portion including an attachment portion for securing the cap to the dispenser, and a flange portion extending radially from a lower portion of the lid portion to prevent the cap from becoming a choking hazard when removed from the dispenser. The flange portion is also shaped to complement a corresponding portion of the dispenser. Preferably, the flange portion is shaped to extend from the lid portion of the cap at an obtuse angle therefrom wherein the dispenser includes an upper surface which is also at the same angle. The safety cap of the present invention may also include a rotational assistance member which is attachable to the lid portion of the cap for frictionally engaging the flange portion.

I claim: 
     
       1. A safety cap shaped to prevent choking for a dispenser including an upper surface region surrounding a central column, said upper surface extending away from said central column at a first obtuse angle, comprising: a lid portion generally cylindrical in shape and having an upper portion and lower portion wherein said lower portion engages the central column of the dispenser;   attachment means located within said lid potion for securing the cap to the central column of the dispenser;   a frusto-conical flange potion located at said lower portion of said lid portion, said frusto-conical flange portion extending at a second obtuse angle with respect to said lid potion, wherein said first obtuse angle is substantially equal to said second obtuse angle of said flange portion; and   a rotational assistance means attachable to said lid portion for frictionally engaging said flange portion of said cap, said rotational assistance means comprising a resilient material capable of causing friction between said rotational assistance means and said flange potion wherein said rotational assistance means includes a base ring portion which matingly receives said lid portion, said base ring portion including a lower face which engages said flange portion and extends away from said lid portion at an angle substantially equal to said second obtuse angle of said flange portion.   
     
     
       2. The safety cap of claim 1, wherein said frusto-conical flange portion extends radially over the entire upper surface region of said dispenser. 
     
     
       3. The safety cap of claim 2, wherein said flange portion extends radially and has a diameter of at least 11/4 inches. 
     
     
       4. The safety cap of claim 1, wherein said attachment means of said lid portion comprises internal threads formed on an internal wall of said lid portion to match external threads on said central column of said dispenser. 
     
     
       5. The safety cap of claim 1, wherein said rotational assistance means includes a bulbous head portion substantially larger than said lid portion and attached to said base ring portion for providing increased gripping area than provided by said lid portion alone. 
     
     
       6. The safety cap of claim 1, wherein said lower face which engages said flange portion extends away from said lid portion at an angle substantially perpendicular to said lid portion in a rest position, wherein said rotational assistance means is deformable by pressure applied in the direction of said dispenser to force said lower face into engagement with said flange portion in an engagement position. 
     
     
       7. The safety cap of claim 1, wherein said cap comprises a rigid material which is more rigid that the upper surface region of the dispenser to provide structural integrity to the dispenser.